UVM Extension Building Capacity Blog

I have been troubled for some time now about the number of instances I’ve observed of adults, in leadership positions, behaving in ways that seem unacceptable. These events raise in my mind a question of when and where we lost our way when it comes to common-sense civility. My first lessons in civility came from my […]

It usually starts like this. Community spokesperson: We need to get young folks to stay in this community. Can you help with that? Me: Can you say a little more about what you are looking for? Community spokesperson: All of our kids are leaving. They graduate high school but there are no jobs for them. […]

The person that thinks they can do something and the person that thinks they cannot do it are both right. I heard that bit of wisdom at a training many years ago and it has stuck with me as one the most true things I have ever learned. I think it is time to pull […]

In light of the devastating damage from Tropical Storm Irene over the weekend we are posting these tips for those affected… [Adapted with permission from Phyllis Onstad, University of Minnesota Extension] A natural disaster can strike anywhere at any time, leaving in its wake damage and destruction that affects the financial well-being of survivors. You […]

Someone (I suspect an observant mother) once said that the only being that truly likes change is a baby with a wet diaper. That may be true but change is also inevitable so learning to anticipate, and cope, may be one of the hallmarks of a successful group. While we never know for certain what […]